The warehouse still smelled of blood and gunpowder. Brian's lifeless body slumped against the crate, but Ochieng wasn't looking at him. His gaze was locked on Seline.
Her hand trembled slightly as she lowered the gun. The same gun that had ended Brian before he could reveal the full truth.
Ochieng's jaw clenched. "Why?"
Seline took a deep breath. "Because if you knew what Brian was about to tell you, you wouldn't have lived to see tomorrow."
His patience snapped. "Then start talking."
She hesitated, eyes darting to the shadows around them. "Not here. They're watching."
Ochieng's instincts screamed at him to end her right there. But she had a point. He turned to Tielen. "Clean this up." Then, without another word, he grabbed Seline's wrist and pulled her out of the warehouse.
---
Seline sat across from Ochieng in a dimly lit penthouse overlooking the city. The tension between them was suffocating.
She took a slow sip of whiskey, then spoke. "You think the Sinclairs were your biggest enemy? You have no idea what you're up against."
Ochieng's expression didn't change. "Then enlighten me."
Seline leaned forward. "The Syndicate is bigger than just one family. It's an empire. And you? You're a loose end they need to tie up."
Ochieng exhaled. "So that's why you ran back to them? To save yourself?"
Seline's lips twitched. "I never left them."
His grip tightened on his glass. Of course. She had always been playing both sides.
She continued, voice softer now. "I had to make them believe I was still loyal. It was the only way to keep you alive this long."
Ochieng chuckled darkly. "And now?"
Seline met his gaze. "Now, you have two choices. Run… or fight something bigger than you've ever faced."
Ochieng stood, looming over her. "You already know my answer."
Seline smiled. "Then I hope you're ready, because after tonight, there's no turning back."
A knock at the door interrupted them. Tielen's voice came through.
"Boss, we have a problem."
Ochieng opened the door. Tielen, Linet, and Jeff stood there—grim-faced.
Tielen handed him a phone. "You need to see this."
Ochieng took the phone and hit play on the video.
The screen showed his estate—engulfed in flames.
A deep, mechanical voice played over the footage.
"You should've stayed in the shadows, Ochieng. Now, we're bringing the war to you."
Ochieng's fingers curled into a fist. The Syndicate had made their move.
And now, it was his turn.